I've been thinking how the media completely exploits women/girls. You can almost guarantee that any model we see in pictures will have a) had very expensive surgery or b) been photoshopped - most probably both.

This has a twofold destructive effect on society. Having our minds fed with images of the "perfect" woman (which is almost unattainable in the natural sense) women and girls are made to feel incredibly insecure about themselves, always comparing themselves with unreal women. In a culture of individualism it seems ironic that there is a set body shape that must be obtained (which is almost impossible). What makes it worse is that most guys appreciate the "perfection" look (understandably) and girls know this, and feel they have to live up to it.

Which leads on to the other effect - the distortion of the female to guys. Constantly being fed these images we feel that we need a gf or wife looking like this when in reality these aren't normal girls - they are in fact not girls at all - just edited photos. Of course this increases girls' insecurities.

And the only winners are companies which make tons of money - ie from clothes, beauty products, etc.

What makes it worse is that most guys appreciate the "perfection" look (understandably) and girls know this, and feel they have to live up to it.

Most men find the anorexic look unattractive. Studies consistently indicate that women overestimate the amount that men prefer the "perfection" that you're describing. Women call women fat, not men. That said, do you honestly think that the way men are portrayed is any more realistic?

Someones knowledge of guitar companies spelling determines what amps you can own. Really smart people can own things like Framus because they sound like they might be spelled with a "y" but they aren't.

It's true man. But for some reason this one seems more prominent and destructive to me. Because it decreases and distorts people's self-worth. You ask any of your girl mates and 99% are dissatisfied with their bodies.

Well you could still watch TV and just not let it effect you, i mean i believe i control who i am not the media

Your experiences affect you. You don't get to just "ignore" your external environment.

Someones knowledge of guitar companies spelling determines what amps you can own. Really smart people can own things like Framus because they sound like they might be spelled with a "y" but they aren't.

Most men find the anorexic look unattractive. Studies consistently indicate that women overestimate the amount that men prefer the "perfection" that you're describing. Women call women fat, not men. That said, do you honestly think that the way men are portrayed is any more realistic?

This is true. But remember it's not just bodies that are photoshopped it's faces too. Any blemishes are fixed and the skin is made to look 100% smooth. And other facial features are changed too. It's not just the anorexic look, it's also just very slim models are edited. Hmm interesting you ask about men...how are men portrayed?

Your experiences affect you. You don't get to just "ignore" your external environment.

True story here. When you watch Television, you are passively learning. Those ads you see on TV still affect you, although it may be subconsciously. Theres only one remedy... TURN OFF YOUR TV's!!! Then you may start learning actively and actually using your brain. I gave my TV away about 5 months ago and have not missed it one bit. I have improved so much in my guitar playing since then!

I've been thinking how the media completely exploits women/girls. You can almost guarantee that any model we see in pictures will have a) had very expensive surgery or b) been photoshopped - most probably both.

Actually, you're wrong. The less photoshopping they need the more likely they are to get the job. It's cheaper that way.

This has a twofold destructive effect on society. Having our minds fed with images of the "perfect" woman (which is almost unattainable in the natural sense) women and girls are made to feel incredibly insecure about themselves, always comparing themselves with unreal women. In a culture of individualism it seems ironic that there is a set body shape that must be obtained (which is almost impossible). What makes it worse is that most guys appreciate the "perfection" look (understandably) and girls know this, and feel they have to live up to it.

Just that now this view has been hounded to the point that being fat is ok. Being fat is not ok. It's disgusting. Not just the way it looks - what it does to your insides. Eegh.

Which leads on to the other effect - the distortion of the female to guys. Constantly being fed these images we feel that we need a gf or wife looking like this when in reality these aren't normal girls - they are in fact not girls at all - just edited photos. Of course this increases girls' insecurities.

Actually, girls like the ones in the photos do exist and it gives men something to aspire to. As for the ones that don't look like the models, we get by just fine.

And the only winners are companies which make tons of money - ie from clothes, beauty products, etc.

And the models, the people that buy the clothes and cosmetics and feel good in them, and me. The advertising agency.

It's not just TV it's everywhere: internet, billboards, buses, shops, clothe sizes, newspapers, magazines. It's all out there in our faces. Besides it's not so much the effect on guys as on girls. That's the worst part.

This is true. But remember it's not just bodies that are photoshopped it's faces too. Any blemishes are fixed and the skin is made to look 100% smooth

So what? The fact that those things are found attractive has nothing to do with media "exploitation". Clear skin and symmetrical facial features denote health and fertility. Human attraction isn't arbitrary. There's an evolutionary basis for nearly every sexual aesthetic preference.

Hmm interesting you ask about men...how are men portrayed?

Exactly the same way women are, with a standard of nearly unattainable attractiveness.

Someones knowledge of guitar companies spelling determines what amps you can own. Really smart people can own things like Framus because they sound like they might be spelled with a "y" but they aren't.

True story here. When you watch Television, you are passively learning. Those ads you see on TV still affect you, although it may be subconsciously. Theres only one remedy... TURN OFF YOUR TV's!!! Then you may start learning actively and actually using your brain. I gave my TV away about 5 months ago and have not missed it one bit. I have improved so much in my guitar playing since then!

Good point i try to ignore but some part of my brain is still picking it up, im taking a sociology class right now and were discussing its very interesting/scary the power the media has

So what? The fact that those things are found attractive has nothing to do with media "exploitation". Clear skin and symmetrical facial features denote health and fertility. Human attraction isn't arbitrary. There's an evolutionary basis for nearly every sexual aesthetic preference.

Exactly the same way women are, with a standard of nearly unattainable attractiveness.

Not excactly teh same in some cases yes but most comedies or sitcoms the man is a big dip**** and the wife is still hot, its hard to find a movie where the woman is fat or ugly but easy to find a bunch with a stupid fat guy

Not excactly teh same in some cases yes but most comedies or sitcoms the man is a big dip**** and the wife is still hot, its hard to find a movie where the woman is fat or ugly but easy to find a bunch with a stupid fat guy

I was referring more to the portrayal of men in your average magazine, but that's still a good point. The standard sitcom formula is basically and moron of a father with the wife as a straight-man. I attribute this more to incompetent writers without any semblance of creativity or originality than I do to sexism.

On a somewhat related note: Does anyone actually read Cosmo? I posted a few articles on a number of forums I frequent with the word "man" replaced with "woman", and without exception it resulted in the entire forum population accusing me of bigotry and screaming for my blood. Things like "Women are incapable of subtlety" and "women don't understand that you can be friends with a member of the opposite gender without expecting sex"

Someones knowledge of guitar companies spelling determines what amps you can own. Really smart people can own things like Framus because they sound like they might be spelled with a "y" but they aren't.

So what? The fact that those things are found attractive has nothing to do with media "exploitation". Clear skin and symmetrical facial features denote health and fertility. Human attraction isn't arbitrary. There's an evolutionary basis for nearly every sexual aesthetic preference.

Exactly the same way women are, with a standard of nearly unattainable attractiveness.

It's true. But it's also true that the media has a great deal of control as to what we like. Remember, there was a time when it was fashionable for girls to have very light skin and be fairly full (fat would be exaggerating).

I suppose, however guys are affected less by it. We don't spend and spend to get there. Or feel insecure because of it. We do face different pressures though and are faced with distorted views of manhood from all corners.

On a somewhat related note: Does anyone actually read Cosmo? I posted a few articles on a number of forums I frequent with the word "man" replaced with "woman", and without exception it resulted in the entire forum population accusing me of bigotry and screaming for my blood. Things like "Women are incapable of subtlety" and "women don't understand that you can be friends with a member of the opposite gender without expecting sex"

Man hats off to you! lol did you tell them afterwards what you did? It's so true isn't it. But that affects women more than men as well. So they get the wrong idea of themselves and of men. Which is why we need to be more understanding and show we're not how they say.

Yeah, I'm sick and tired of the media starving models, giving them no money, making them in live in tiny cages, and drive terrible cars. Those poor models are being taken advantage of. They get nothing out of it....

Anyway, as for the people who are getting the wrong impression: Maybe they should have better role models, and be less stupid. Maybe they should pick up a book.

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